REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146556 Report of the Trustees and Unaudlted Finanaal Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 for ABINGfoN AVENUE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
ABINGTON AVENUE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Contents ol the Flnancial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 Pa8e Report of the Trustees 3to7 Independent Examinerfs Report Statement of Financlal Activities Balance Sheet io Notes to the Financial Statements Ilto16 Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 17to18
ABINGTON AVENUE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 0¢mber 2023 The trustees present thelr port with the financial statements of the charity forthe year ended 31 Deomber 2023. The trustees have adopted the provislon5 of the Statement of Recommended Practice ISORPI 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities IFRS 102) (effective l January 20151. Reference and admlnistratlve detslls Reglstered Charity number 1146556 Principal address Abington Avenue Northampton NN14QA Trustees Mr Paul Ansell Mrs Kathryn Cottle Mrs Sue Croft Mr Vaughan Griffiths FCA Mrs Julia Hardcastle Mr Jeff Prickett Mrs Jane Stapleton Mrs Christine Whipp Ms Kay Kerr (appointed l October 20231 Independent examiner Jonathan Cobley F.C.C.A. Cobley Desborough Chartered Certified Accountants & Chartered Tax Advisers Artisans, House 7 Queensbridge Northampton NN4 7BF StNcture• govemance and rnana8ement Govern5 document The charty Is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes an unincorporated charity. Trusts are distilled from the United Refomied Church Act11972 and 19811 and Scherne of Union 119721 adopted 20 June 2011. The church is a member of the East Midlands Synod of the United Reformed Church. which owns the church building in Abington Avenue and the Manse (occupied by the Minister).
ABINGTON AVENUE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 Structure> governance and management Rlsk management The tru5tee5 recognise they have a duty to Identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensu appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance agalnst fraud and error. Public benefit, objectlves and actlvltles The church's main objectives are: To provide a Christian witness in Abington, Northampton. and wherever our member5 find themselves at work or at leisure, To provide regular Christian worship and teaching in a variety of styles to large and small groups, To develop Christian maturity in worship and daily living, To play our part in ecumenical work In Northampton and wider. To be sUPPOrtive of those In need. through friendship. caring actlon and prayer. To support other charitable work through financial donations, locallyi nationally and internatlonally, To offer our bulldlngs and facilities to other groups from our community, particularly to those promoting health, training or cultural attivity. In all the above we belleve we are operating for public benefit through the advancementof reli81on, development of community and support of those in need. Information on all church activitie5 is available from the webslte www.aaurc.co.uk or from the church office (tel: 01604 6Q4623, e: offsce.aauYc mail.com Management The strategic managernent of the church Is carried out by Its leadership team comprising the trustees (known wlthin the denominatlon as "Elders'l wlth the Area Minister5 and supported by our Administrator. Various areas of church life are delegated to smaller committees whlch report into the monthty Elders Meeting. However, within our URC framework of governance, the ultimate decision-maklng body is the quarterly Church Members Meetin& whose remit includes the election of Eldersrrrustees and receiving for approval reports of the activities of the various commlttees. Northampton Aa Churches Partnershlp From July 2023 this church went into a grouplng with 9 other churches, 2 others in Northampton, one in Duston and 6 In village5 to the north or west of Northampton. The groupin8 is seNed by 3 ministers. in 2023 one of which was full time and 2 part time. After a service lin July 20231 at which we covenanted to work together. we are now working out the details of how we can be mutually supportive, share resources and expertise, and thereby further the mision of the church in West Northamptonshire and further afield.
ABINGTON AVENUE UNITED REFORMED CtrIURCH Report of the Trustee5 for the Yeai Ended 31 December 2023 Church Secretar¢s Report The church continues to explore how to fulfil its mission; to celebrate in Christian worship, to encourage and develop believers in their faith. and to serve the local community ènd the wider world in acts of seryice and grant givlng. The pattern of Sunday morning worship often includes two gatherings With different styles of worshlp. one more fomal and traditional, one freer with modern worship music and encouraged participation. Festivals and Special Sundays are opportunitie5 for the church communityto worship together as an eXpSsion of our unity in dlversity- Other regular activities included: Home Groups for Bible study and fellowshlp. Prayer meetings and Bible study meetlngs at church, Messy Church for families Imonthly on Frldayl, Toy library on Wednesday, Jolly Tots for families on Wednesday, A Friday Lunch Club and Friday Friendship Club for older people, Opening on Fridays (from October 2023) as part of the nationwide Wam Space initiative, a weekty Child Contact Centre for estranged family members to meet with children in a supportlve environment. All generations are represented at the main Sunday seNices and a Junior Church is offered on most Sundays. Although lockdown is a recedlng memory fi)r many. we have continued to broadcast services and communicate wlth church members mainly by elertronic mean5 IWhatsApp. Facebook. text messaging and emaill. For members who are not connected via the internet, service resources and other communications are regularly posted out by°snail mail". The church building5 were also used by other Christian groups, health and education classes, and for concerts and drama. The membershlp nufflbers have reduced to below 100 by 31 December 2023. However, we are seein8 regular visitors and newcomers in our Sunday services (both styles) and hope some of them will find a Spiritual home wlth us and move on into membership. In these uncertain and disrupted times, the church is deeply grateful forthe faithful ministry of Revd Jane Wade. We are also gratefvl for the support of the musicians and singers in our worship teams, our or8anlsts and lay worship leaders. The leadershlp team is very 8rateful for the donations of money, time and skllls given by the members and congregation, without which all the work of the church Could not contlnue. Continuedl...
ABINGTON AVENUE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Report of the Trurtees for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 Financial revlew- comprlsing our ReseThes Pollcy and Treasurerfs report. Reserves pollLy The charity's reserves policy is to hold free See5 sufficient to cover 3-6 months, ordinary expenditure. At 31 December 2023 the free reserve5 comply with this policy. The Peter Robertson Fund is designated for projects. grants and donations outslde the ordinary activities of the church and as such 15 riot considered part of the free reseNes. The free reserves, representing general unrestrlcted funds, excluding fixed asset5, the Lift Replacement Reserve, the Equipment Replacement Reserve and The Peter Robertson Fund, amount to £49,761 at 31 December 202312022: £55,536). Treasurerfs Report During 2023 many of the thurch's activities have returned to pre pandemic levels. Thls is reflected in the annual accounts With increases over the 2022 figures for both income and expenditure. Although It wa5 anticipated when the 2023 budget was set that there would be a deficit. the actual deficit was slgnificantly lower than the agreed budget. From July 2023, Abington Avenue URC became part of the Northamptonshlre Area Churches Partnership, formerly known as Resource Church. From a financlal viewpoint thls arrangement enables the manse and ministerial costs across all ten churches in the area to be pooled and paid for by the churches in proportion to their congregation numbers. This system is Still taking some time to be fully workin8. During 2023 the receipts and poyments for Abin8ton Avenue were roughly similar. The annual income has increased in three main areas. Contact Centre Grants and Donations. Investment income and the URC East Midlands Synod Energy Relief Grant. The Child Contact Centre was very Brateful to receive several specific grants and donations. These were from The Benham Trust, Smurfit Kappa, St Falth's and the Weston Favell Church Lent Appeal. The increase in interest rates provided a significant increase In Investment income. The United Reformed Church Eart Midlands Synod opened a fund whereby churches could apply for grants to cover some of the extra utility costs followin8 the increase in gas and electricity prlces. Our applications to the fund were successful. Additionally. there was a small increase in incorne from givlng, although not to the figure set in the budget. There has been the reqU1ment to catch up on varlous property repairs that were put on hold over the pandemic. This has sUlted in a slgnificant increase in expenditure. A further slgnificant increase was for utllity costs, wlth the previous fixed term contract for electriclty havin8 termlnated during the year. Our contribution to the Unlted Reformed Church Ministry and Mlssion Fund increased by 3% as requested by the URC. Continuedl...
ABINGTON AVENUE UNITED REFORMEO CHURCH Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 During the year, as a8reed by Church Meeting. we gave annual donation5 to Teacher Ald for the school in Nsobe Zambla, Restore Food Bank, Bethany Homestead. Church Actlon on Povertyand Emmanual Food Bank. Additionallyi we were approached by Northampton Becket Rotary to donate towards their project with the Chitipi School in Malawi, a school and projert which we had previously supported financially. We were pleased to be able to donate £3.CKK) from the Peter Robertson Fund for this project. The annual deficlt has reduced our free reseThes. but we are still able to comply with our reserves polity. Additionally. relatlvely little has been taken from designated fund5 and it has been possible to carry some of the grant money received for the Child Contact Centre into the restiided fund for use in future years. Havin8 Set yet another deficlt budget. 2024 looks to be another financially challenging year Rosemary Hardie- TreaSur Post balance sheet events Recent years have seen deflcits incurred, but the factors of the Covld pandemic and consequent disruption to prevlously normal patterns of church lrfe may be partly responsible. However. reduction in church attendance generally and the challenge of adding new members are goin8 to be key Issues of mission going forward. The leadership team considers that the current year finances12023) may show a deficit but are confldent that this can be covered by resee5 and that there wlll be no threat to the church as a going concern. Approved by order of the board of trustees on 12 July 2024 and si8ned on it5 behalf by: V W Griffiths FCA- Trustee
Independent Examlner's Report to the Trustees of Ablngton Avenue United Reformed Church I report on the accounts for the period l January 2023 to 31 December 2023, which are set out on page5 nine to sixteen. Responslbllltles and basls of report As the charity's trustees you are responslble forthe preparatlon of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'the Act'l. I have examined your charity's accounts as required under 5ettion 145 of the Charities Act 2011 I'the Act'l. In carrying out my examination I have followed the D1ctionS given by the Charity Commlsslon under section 1451Sllbl of the 2011 Act. My role is to state whether any material matters have tome to my attention gNing me cause to believe: that accounting records were not kept as required by section 130 of the Act,. or that the accounts do not accord with those records; or that the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Act. or that there is further information needed for a proper understandlng of the accounts. Independent examifier's ststement I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters111 to141 listed above and, in connection with following the Directlons of the Charlty Commission I have found no matters that require drawlng to your attention. Jonathan Cobley F.C.C.A. Cobley Desborough Chartered Certified Accountants Chartered Tax Advisers Artlsans, House 7 Queensbridge Northampton NN4 7BF Date: 12 July 2024
ABINGTON AVENUE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH ststement of Financlal Activitles ft*r the Year Ended 31 December 2023 2023 2022 Restricted Total funds Total funds funds Unrestrlcted funds Notes INCOMING RESOURCES Incomlns resources from generated fund$ Voluntsry income Grants (2022- incl. Government JRS} Legacies Activities for 8enerating funds Investment income Other income IncominE resources from charitable artlvitles Use of church premises 89,444 3,813 93,257 9,000 89,937 10,250 7,063 6,693 3,655 7,063 6,703 3.655 4,692 2.221 38 io 21,146 21,146 20,994 Total Incomln£ resources 128,001 12,823 140,824 128,132 RESOURCES EXPENDED Chufch Artlvlties Church activrtie5 Caterlng costs Other resources expended 130,423 4,048 6,947 8,639 139,062 4,048 6,947 135,848 3,931 9,161 Total resources expended 141,418 8,639 150,057 147,674 NET INCOMINGI(OLrrGOINGI RESOURCES BEFORE TRANSFERS 113,4171 4,184 19,2331 119,5421 Gr055 transfers between funds io 13541 354 Net Incomlng/loutgolnEI resources 113,7711 4,538 {9,233} 119.5421 RECONCIUATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 334,481 17,807 352,288 371.830 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD The notes form part of these financial statements
ABINGTON AVENUE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Balance Sheet At 31 December 2023 2023 2022 Restricted Total funds Total funds funds Unrestricted funds Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 77.185 77,185 84.132 CURRENT ASSEfs Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 13,316 243,107 13,316 265,452 17,864 258,469 22,345 2S6,423 22,345 278,768 276.333 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 112,8981 112,898) 18,1771 CURRENT ASSETS 243,525 22.345 265,870 268,156 TOTAL ASSEfs LESS CURRENT UABIUTIES 320,710 22,345 343,055 352.288 ASSErs 321,710 22,345 343.055 352,288 FUNDS Unrestricted funds Restricted funds io 320.710 22,345 334,481 17.807 TOTAL FUNDS 343.055 352,288 The financial statementswere approved by the Board of Trustees on 12 July 2024 and were signed on its behalf by= V W Griffiths FCA-Trustee The notes form part of these financial ststements io
ABINGTON AVENUE UNITED REFORMED CHURC Notes to the Flnancial St?tements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 ACCOUNTING POUCIES Basls of preparlng the financlal thtements The financial statements of the charity, which is a publlc benefit entity under FRS 102. have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP {FRS 1021 (effective l January 20151 and the United Reformed Church guidance. The financial statement5 have been prepared under the hlstorical cost convention. Incomln8 resources All voluntary giving is included in the financial statements for the period in whlch It is received. Donations under Gift Aid plus the associated tsx recovery are recognised as income when the donation is received. Legacies are accounted for when their receipt is probable and can be properly quantlfled. All other Income is generally recognised when it is receivable. Government support during the Covid-19 pandemlc through the Job Retention Scheme has been treated as an unrestricted grant In these accounts. Resource5 expended The URC Ministry & Mission Fund contribution, which 8oe5 towards paylng for ministers. stlpends and central costs, Is paid monthly and is included in the financial statements for the year to whlch it relates. Resources expended are cOgnised in the period to which they are Incurred and include attributable VAT which cannot be recovered. They are allocated to the particular actfvlty to which they relate. Governance costs represent d1ct expenditure on the governance of the church, including the produttion and independent scrutiny of these financial statement5. As m05t of the management and activity of the church is carried out by volunteer5, this intangible cost is not included in the financial statement5 as this voluntary contribution to the life of the church is incalculable. Tangible fixed assets Equipment, fixtures and fittings depreciation has 8enerally been provlded at an annual rate of 25% reducing balance in order to wrlte off the assets over their estimated useful life. There is an exception with the organ rebuilt in 2016 at a cost of £40,1YJO where depreciation Is applied at a straight line rate over 25 years. Heating system depCIatIOn has been provlded at a straight Ilne rate over 25 years. Freehold property-. The Trustees of the thurch and manse buildings are the URC East Midlands Synod Trust who hold them upon tnjst for purposes connerted with Abir¢gton Avenue URC. The local church is responslble for all maintenance and running Costs, including insurance. Expenditure incurred on the church and Manse is wrltten off in the year it is incurred. Taxation As part of the United Reformed Church, the church 15 an excepted charity within the meaning of the Taxes Acts. Accordingly it is potentially exempt from taxation in respert of income and capital gains received to the extent that such income or gains are applied to exclusively charitable purposes. No provision for taxation has been made In these financial statements. li
ABINGTON AVENUE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Notes to the Financlal SLitements- continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 AccouKfiNG POUCIES- tontlnued Fund accountln8 Unrestricted funds are avallable for use at the discretion of the church in furtherance of its charitable objectives. Restricted funds a subjected to restriction5 on their expendlture Imposed by the donor or contalned In the terms of a grant. Pension costs and other post-retlrement benefrt5 The charlty operates a defined contribution penslon scheme. Contributions payable to the charlty's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate. AcnvmES FOR GENERATING FUNDS 2023 2022 Fundraising events Catering activities Office costs recharges 560 4,132 7,063 7,063 4.692 INVEsfMENT INCOME 2023 2022 Deposit account interest 6,703 2,221 INCOMING RESOURCES FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES 2023 2022 Income from use of premises 21.146 20,994 TRusfEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS There was no tru5tee5' remuneration or other benefrts for the year ended 31 December 2023 norforthe year ended 31 Dernber 2022. Trustees, expenses There were no trustees, expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2023, nor for the year ended 31 December 2022. 12
ABINGTON AVENUE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Notes to the Flnancial Statements- continued forthe Year Ended 31 December2023 STAFF COSTS 2023 2022 Wages and salaries Other pen51on costs 26,486 28,246 778 27.234 29,024 The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows- 2023 2022 Child Contart Centre Site supervisors/Cleanin8 Administration No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,0. Senior management personnel comprlses the Minister and trustees, none of whom are remunerated by the charity. The Minister is remunerated directly by the national Unlted Reformed Church. 13
ABINGTON AVENUE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Notes to the Financial Ststements- continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 TANGIBLE FIXED A55Ers Equipment. flxture5 & fittings Heating system Tota15 At l January 2023 Additions Disposals 62A97 145,517 208,014 At 31 December 2023 145.517 208,014 Depreclatlon At l January 2023 Charge for year Eliminated on disposal 18,542 2.500 105,340 4.447 123,882 6,947 At 31 December 2023 109,787 130,829 Net book value At 31 December 2023 41,455 27,191 77,185 At 31 December 2022 43,955 40.178 84,132 DE8TORS: AMOUNTS FAWNG DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2023 2022 Debtors Interest due Prepayments Gift Aid 8,9)7 11,737 1,519 1,038 3,570 665 3.744 13,316 17,864 Note: Debtors includes £9,490 to be relmbursed by the URC East Midlands Synod for Manse repairs CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2023 2022 Creditors and accruals 12.898 4,632 14
ABINGTON AVENUE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Notes to the Flnanclal Statements- contlnued for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Net movement in funds Transfers between funds At 3V12123 At Vl123 Unrestrlrted funds General fund Property Maintenance Reserve Lift Replacement Reserve Equipment Replacement Fund Pastoral Care Fund Peter Robertson Fund 128.695 10.953 11,965 4,858 Ico 177,910 334,481 111,4391 1,023 79 455 115.948 11,976 12,403 5.CK13 20 173,596 320,710 359 146 1801 {3,0(Kll 113,4171 11,3141 13S41 Restrirted funds Dai8le Bequest Parkhouse bequest (Youth work} Outreach Fund Allotment Fund Kitchen Equipment Fund Jolly Tots Flowercommittee Friday Friendshlp Club Child Contact Centre Meals Delivery project ECO Fund 2,869 2,575 1.261 222 331 862 225 5,091 2.730 1,415 226 86 77 38 2.955 2,450 1,299 222 315 1.840 225 5,168 6,230 1,415 226 12021 116} 978 1761 3.500 153 17,807 4,184 354 22.345 TOTAL FUNDS 352,288 19,2331 343,055 Trdnsfers between fiinds and fund purpose5: Friday Friendship Club, Art and Craft Club, Jolly Tots and Flower Commlttee ère all small fund5 managed by various activity groups within the church. The Daigle Bequest Fund was a legary given for the purpose of an annual outing for members of the Friday Lunch Club (the lunch club was suspended for most of 2023 due to the pandemic). The bequest from the late Mrs Parkhouse is to be used in youth work. The Outreach Fund arlses from a specific donation for outreach work. The Allotment Fund arises from grants Biven specifically for this ministry. The ECO Fund rePsentS income received on our ECO Day Iseptember 20211 and will be used to further our ECO Church credentlals. The Meals Delivery project was to subsidise our meals delivery to those in need durin8 lockdown. The Equipment Replacement Fund, Lift Replacement reserve and Kitchen Equipment Fund are to sel aside funds to cover replacement of equipment in the future. 15
ABINGTON AVENUE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Notes to the Financlal Statements- continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 io. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- continued Net movement in fund5. included in the above are as follows: Incoming resourcès Resources expended Movement in funds Unrestricted fund$ General fund Property Maintenance Reserve Lift Replacement Reserve Equipment Replacement Fund Pastoral Care Fund Peter Robertson Fund 126.274 1,023 79 1137,7131 111,4391 1,023 79 625 1705} 13,CNJOI 1141,4181. 1801 13,(K)01 {13.417} 128,CQl Restrirted funds Daigle Bequest Parkhouse bequest (Youth workl Outreach Fund Allotment Fund Kitchen Equipment Fund Jolly Tots Flower Committee Friday Friendship Club Child Contact Centre Meals Delhiery project ECO Fursd {2021 12021 1161 14141 1161 978 1,392 761 {7,931) 176) 3,51XI 11,431 12,823 18.639} 4,184 TOTAL FUNDS 140,825 1150,057} {9.233 16
ABINGTON AVENUE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Detalled Ststement of Financial Activltles for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 2023 2022 INCOMING RESOURCES Voluntary income Collections and other congregatlon giving Other donatlons Grants12022- including Government furlough support) Gift Aid recoverable Legacles Subscriptions Other incotne 75,815 2,421 71,981 1,642 10,250 14,821 15,021 1,493 38 3,655 105,912 100,225 Artivltle$ for Beneratlng funds Fundraising events Catering activltles 560 4,132 7.063 7,063 4,692 Investment income Deposit account interest 6,703 2,221 Incomln8 resources from charltable artiVitie5 Income from use of premlses 21,146 20.994 Total Incoming resources 140.824 128,132 RESOURCES EXPENDED- see following page Thi5 pa8e does not fomi part of the statutory financial ststements 17
ABINGTON AVENUE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Detsiled Statement of Financlal Artivltles for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 RESOURCES EXPENDED 2023 2022 Chur¢h actlvltles Wages and related costs Pensions URC Ministry and Mission contribution Other worship and ministry costs Premises costs Telephone Office costs (computers, copler, posta8e and stationery) Manse costs General maintenance Ministers motor & travel costs Sundries Fundraising costs Mission and charitable giving Child Contact Centre and crèche costs Youth & children's work costs Peter Robertson Fund grants (to outside organisatlonsl 26.973 788 46,572 4.563 37,527 1,008 1,582 3,908 1,364 1,601 453 28,246 778 45,216 3,062 24,421 1,451 1,573 15.156 6,232 1,863 465 6,493 539 1.377 4,314 s,ioo 1,240 1,045 139,062 135,848 Catering costs Kltchen costs 4.048 3,931 3,931 Other resources expended Depreciation of heating system Depreciation of equipment. fixtures and fittin8S Loss on dlsposal of tangible fixed assets 2.5 4.447 2.500 5,395 6,947 7,895 Total resource5 expended 150,057 147,674 Net surplus l (deficit) 19,2331 119,5421 This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements 18